Joe Truex on Watershed on Peachtree's New Menu, Celebrity Chefs and More

Watershed on Peachtree, a reincarnation of the beloved Decatur restaurant that closed last August, will open in the LEED-certified Brookwood building later this month. The Smith Hanes-designed 175-seat restaurant has a terrace overlooking Peachtree Street, a private dining room, an expanded bar and garage parking. Spearheaded by Executive Chef and Owner Joe Truex, it will focus on farm-to-table Southern fare. Below, Truex shares his thoughts on Watershed's new space, new menu and what he thinks of celebrity chefs.

How will Watershed on Peachtree be different from the original location?
One of the big differences is that we’ll have more space to offer private dining, a patio, an expanded bar area and a wealth of parking. We loved Decatur but we did not have the luxury of space in our former location.

What elements will stay the same?
We will remain a community restaurant and plan to maintain the integrity of the Watershed brand with Southern-inspired cuisine. Diners can still expect Fried Chicken Night but on a new night, Wednesday. And we’ll continue to boast an expansive wine program.

What's new on the menu?
The menu will all be new, nothing from the old spot with the exception of Fried Chicken Night, which will be served differently and the truffle chicken salad. The new menu will be Southern-inspired with flavors from the Georgia Coast to the Louisiana Bayou and everything in between including the diverse ethnic flavors found throughout the South.

What are your goals for this new location?
We want the restaurant to have a casual neighborhood feel, comfortable enough to dine here every day, yet refined enough for business meetings. Our designer Smith Hanes has created an incredible space that reflects the modern south.

How do you feel about the "celebrity chef" craze and all of the chef TV shows? Does it make it harder to keep up?
Thats entertainment, fun stuff to watch. But for me the measure of a chef is what comes out of his/her kitchen.

Who do you think are standouts in the Atlanta food scene right now?
John Kesslers top 50 restaurant guide pretty much covers it for me with the addition of most places on Buford Hwy.
Watershed on Peachtree Executive Chef Joe Truex.